Collapsible dress form



9, I954 B. WEXLER ETAL 2,666,559

' COLLAPSIBLE DRESS FORM Filed July 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS BENQHMIN wEiLER BY MARVIN WEXLER ATTOR NEY Jan. 19, 1954 B. WEXLER ET AL COLLAPSIBLE DRESS FORM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 19, 1950 S m T N E V m BEHJHMIN WEXLER BY MARVIN C- \N EJ-LER ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 9 s i; m. 7 M a A 2/ n .4. uwvwflfiu I NVENTQR v BENQHMIH WEXLER RVIN -WEXLER X M, ATTORNEY 1954 B. WEXLER ET AL COLLAPSIBLE DRESS FORM Filed July 19, 1950 Jan. 19, 1954 B. WEXLER ET AL 2,666,559

COLLAPSIBLE DRESS FORM Filed July 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR BENQHMIN WEXLER BY MHRVIN C. WEXLER ATTORNEY useasa Patented Jan. 19, 1954 assess!) OFFICE.

ooLLArsnsLE mmss Form Benjamin Wex ler and Marvin C. Wexler,

Philadelphia, Pa.

Application July 19, 1950, Serial No. 174,750

This invention relates generally to dress forms and more particularly to an improved constructionof a readily expansible form which is adapted,when in its collapsedcondition, to serve as a supporting hanger for a dress and, when in its fully expanded condition, to 'serve as a body-shaped form for displaying to'bst advantage the dress supported thereon Among the principal objects of the present invention is: to provide a combination dress hanger and form which is so radily'collapsible into the shape of a relatively flat unit that it may be conveniently'carried' by the salesman for'use by him in the display of garments, such as dresses, offered for sale, ,the unit being readily expanded into shape to fill out the upper body portion of the dressand thus make unnecessary the time-consuming and often inconvenient practice of modeling the dress upon a living person unmannequin. In addition to suchcuse of the form by traveling salesmen, it also may be convenientlyemployed in the shops displaying dresses and similarcgar'ments for sale, the units being thereemployed intheir collapsed state as hangers for the dresses on display witheach of them adapted for individual expansion'to form an internal frame or bust form for :each dress draped upon a hanger unit, V v s Further objects of the presentinvention, including the provision of'aform of the character aforesaidwhich is, simple in construction, inexpensive to *manufacture and'easy to use, will appear more fully hereinafter, it being understood that the presentyinvention;consists sub;- .stantially.,in the :combinatiorn construction,

location and relative arrangement of: parts, all as described indetail'hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying v drawings and-:as finally pointed outintheappendedclaims. In the accompanying drawings ,which are illustrative of: a-preferred; embodiment of. the invention? Figure l is a 'perspectiveview, showing-the frame of the combination hangerand former:- anded into bust-forming shape; 'j

expanded frame of'Figure 1 encased 'within its fabric envelope,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the complete unit as shown in Figure'3';

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the complete unit collapsed into cond tion adapting it for dress hanger; a

14 Claims. (01. 223-68) Figure 6 is a vertical section'view of as shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional-view ofthe the unit frame'as taken on the line 1'l of Figure 4;

lgether as at Figure 8 is a perspective view like that of Fig,- ure 1 showinga modified construction ofthe combination hanger and form of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a side elevationalview showing the frame of Figure 8 in its collapsed or folded condition;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view ofthe form as taken along the line Ill- -Hl of Figure 8; and e. r .I'

'Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view as taken along the line I l--| l of Figure 10.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1,- 2 and '7 thereof it will be observed that the combination hanger and form of the present invention includes an internal frame unit 10 having a relatively rigid central main member H of inverted U-shape formed of suitably heavy wire stock, the opposed legs 12 and [3 of this central member being disposed in laterally spaced parallel relation with their upper ends interconnected by a top cross member M. This latter member [4 is intermediately fitted with a short tubular guide, element 15 arranged with its longitudinal bore substantially in axial coincidence with a line extendin centrally between the leg portions l2 and l3wofthe mainmember H. r

Slidably mounted upon the leg portions! 2 and It of the central member, is a pluralityof vertically spaced frame members I5, I! and 18, each of these latter being. formed of apair of arcuately-shaped elements hingedlyconnected together. Thustheframe member. i6 includes ;a pair of;v generally 'arcuately-shapedsections I 6w I6'bhaving their corresponding terminal endsvhingedly connected, as at I 6c.-I6c. The second frame member l1 similarly includes a pair of sections |1a|1b' hingedly connected :to-

l1cl1c, while the third frame member l8 includes a pair of sections lilac-18b J'hinged together as at [Sc-I Be.

It will be noted that the several mmemembers l6, l1 and I8 when fully extended as'shown -in Figures 1 and 4 are each of shape and perimetral size to respectively delineate the bust,

waist and hip portions of the expanded form, it

I 6?) is of greater perimetral sary to conform the frame I6 to thefront bust and I8 being hinged to the opposite extremities of said transverse rods. Each of these transfverse rods I9, and 2| is provided intermediate tubular guide elements 2223 the guide ele"-' ments 22 being all axially alined for slidable dis position upon the leg portion |2 of the main central member while the guide elements 23 are all axially alined for slidable dispositio'riupon the opposite leg portion |=3 of said central member The several cross rods I9, 2'iland 2 are respectively' secured, as'a't' 24, 25and'26; to an actuator rod or stem- 21, the upper part of which slidably extends through the bore of the upper tubular guide element IS'and is't'e'rminally provided with a supporting hook 28 revoluble about thelongitudinal axis of the actuator rod or stem 21 Pivotally connected tothe rod- IS in the immediate vicinity of each of the tubular guide elements 22 and 23 is a pair of oppositely extending arms 29 and 30, the outer ends of which are'respectively secured, as at 3| and 32-, to the hingedly connected sections lta and I6?) of the bustfcrming frame member l6. Operatively associated with each pair of these arms 29 and is a pair of link arms 33 and 34, the inner ends of which latter are pivotally connected, as at 35, to a leg portion of the main-central frame while their outer ends are respectively pivotally con nected, as at 35 and 31, to the arms 29 and as.

The waist-forming frame I! and the hip-forming frame I8 are each similarly provided with two sets of linkages as just described for the bust- 4 this movement of the several rods i9, 20 and 2| being along a rectilinear path determined by the guide elements 2223 respectively movable on the relatively fixed frame members l2 and 13. As these rods 19, 2B and 2| are shifted upwardly the two sets of linkages operatively associated with each of these rods'operatetocause the arms 30; H -30 and 2.!*-3|l to shift into longitudinallly extended relation with the result that the hinged sections of the several bust, waist and hip formingframes are correspondingly shifted forming frame, each set includihg'a pair of arms 29a and 30a'and a pair of link arms 33:; and 34a for the waist-forming frame" and a pair of arms 2% and 30b and a pair of link arms'33b and 34b for the hip-forming frame.

Finally, the upper transverse member I I of the main central frame I! of the unit is provided with a pair of laterally spaced shoulder plates 38-48, each of which is suitably mounted to permit it to be swung from its horizontal position as shown in Figures i, f1 and 5 into a substantially vertical or vertically inclined position as shown in Figures 1 and ti,

The collapsible formof the present invention constructedas above described is completed by the provision of an enveloping jacket 39 of any suitable fabric 01' flexible material, this jacket being shaped generally in its bust, waist and hip regions to classy" conform to andifibiaoe' the laterally extended bust, waist and hip-forming frames i6, I1 and [8' of the uriit-. The jacket 39 is fully enclosedon all sides thereof, its top or shoulder portion being provided with aneck opening 40 to permit the free upward projection therethrough of the supporting hook. The bottom edge of the jacket is secured, as by an inturned hem 4|, to the perimetral edge of the w-aist forming frame I 8.

Having in mind theforgoirig construction,-i t will be apparent that when the actuator stem or rod 21 is shifted vertically upward relatively to the central U-shaped frame II, the several transversely extending rods I9, 20 and 2| will be shifted upwardly into their positions shown in Figure 1,

into substantially horizontally extended relation, asshown in Figure 1.

The several pivots of each linkage set are relativelysospaced-asvto permit the transversely extending rods I9, 20 and 2| to shift upwardly from ape-Simon substantially below to a position immediately above the horizontal planes of the laterally extended frame sections, the-leverage arrangement-being thatof a toggle which is operative tolock the several-bust, waistand hip-formingr frames in. their fully opened or expanded condition when the actuator rod Z'I is in its fully raised: position. Ifdesired, any suitable auxiliary means (not shown) may be-employed to lock the actuator in its fully raised or fully lowered position relatively to the frame member I a preferred meansfor such auxiliary locking being the conventional umbrella type spring-pressed latch which may be fitted in. the actuator rod 21 for passage upwardlytherewith through the tubular guide 5for latching-engagement with the ppcr end of said. guide to prevent unintentional retraction of the actuator rod relatively to said. guide.

In use. of the device of the" present invention, the dress or other garment to bedis'played upon the combination form. andlhan'ger" may be draped thereon while. the unit is in it's'collapsed form, as showniin Figures 5' and 6,, in which case the unit serves primarily as a hanger for the freely suspended dress. The collapsed unit with the dress so suspended thereon may beconveniently packed in a; traveling case; or it may be hung upon a rack of the-type conventionally employed in dress shops. When it is desired to display the dress as it would appear whenit is worn upon the body, the actuator rod 2! is shifted upwardly relatively to the frame' l I as just above described, to expand the unit into body form and so fill out the dress suspended thereon; The prospective purchaser of the dreSs-isthus' enabled toavisualize the dress as it would appear when Worn, thereby avoiding the necessity of modeling-thedress: upon a' living D'erson or'for'm- Figures 8 toll, inclusive; show a modified construction of the combination form and hanger wherein the several bust, waist and hipeforming frame members are formed of fiat metal. stock rather than: of wire rod as 'iri'the form previously described. Thus, the bust-forming frame. member formedofa pair of suitably shapedlflat metal elements N -Ml lringed' together at 4|-4|, while the" waist-forming frame member is formed of a; pair of flat metal elements 42-42 hinged together as at 43 and the hip-for1ning frame member is formed of a pair fiat metal elements 44-4-4 hinged together as at 4- 35.

The hinge pins '46 of the several vertically spaced collapsible frame members, at each c. of the combination form and hanger, project through and are supported by the vertically GK" tending side legs 41 of a relatively rigid main frame member 48 of inverted U-shape, this latter member being also formed of flat metal stock rather than wire rod. The side legs 41-4! of ascetic vention, the collapsible bust, waist and hip-forming frame members are adapted to be expanded into horizontally extending condition as shown in Figures 8 and 10 or collapsed into folded condition as shown in Figure 9, in which latter con dition the hinged elements of eachsuch frame member are respectively folded upwardly about.

the opposed hinge pins 46 46 whichsecure the several collapsible frame members to the main supporting frame 48.

To effect the expansion and collapse, of the vertically spaced collapsible frame members, an

actuating mechanism may be employed, as shown in the modified form of construction, comp-rising a vertically shiftable actuator rod 5| connected through the medium of an exceedingly simple linkage system to the several members. The actuator rod 5| is guided in its vertical travel by projecting it through suitable vertically alined guide openings 52 and 53 formed respectively in vertically spaced cross bars 54-54 interconnectingthe side legs 41'41 of the main supporting frame 48, these cross bars serving additionally to reinforce and rigidify the frame.

The upper end of the actuator rod 5| is suitably bent, as at 55,,to provide a convenient hand hold for raising and lowering the same relatively to the main frame 48 and is further offset, as at 56, to provide a stop engageable with the upper cross bars 54 to limit downward movement of the actuator rod.

members into their folded condition shown in Figure 9. When it is desired to expand these frame members, as shown in Figure 8, it is only necessary to depress the actuator rod relatively to the main supporting frame.

As in the case of the previously described modification of the invention, the main frame 48 may beprovided with. shoulder plates $464, while the assembly as a unitmay be encased within an enveloping jacket similar to that designated 39 in Figures 3 and 4,

It will be understood, of course, that the present invention is susceptible of various changes and modifications which may be made from time to time withoutdeparting from the general principles or real spirit thereof,'and it is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is: 1.'A collapsible form of the character described comprising a central main supporting frame having a pair of laterally spaced, parallel members, a plurality of body-forming frames eachincluding a rod extending transversely of said laterally spaced members of the supporting frame and a pair of relatively foldable sections hingedly connected to said rod, said transversely The paired elements of each collapsible frame member are respectively provided with a transversely extending rod interconnecting the opposite sides of each hinged element. Thus, the hinged elements -40 are respectively provided with the cross rods 56-5B, the elements 6242 with the rods 51-51 and the elements -44 with the rods 5858. These cross rods not only strengthen and'reinforoe the elements of which they form parts, but also, as most clearly appears in Figures 8 and 10, theyprovide a simple means for interconnecting each group of the vertically spaced hinged elements for conjoint raising and the main frame member 48, are interconnected by vertically extending tie rods 59 and Gil, the tie rod 59 interconnecting the mid-points of the vertically spaced cross-rods 56 and 51, while the tie-rod 6f! interconnects the midpoints of the vertically spaced cross rods 51 and 58. The opposite ends of the tie rods 59 and 60 are enlarged and apertured to permit free projection of the cross rods therethrough and provide'ifor a hinging action at each point of connection between the tie rods and the cross rods.

. Fixed to the actuator rod50 is an inverted clip 5| which carries a pair of pins 62-62 respectively disposed to either side of the rod 50 and extending parallel to the several cross rods 56, 51 and 5B.

A pair of links 63-63 respectively interconnect the pine 62-62 to the uppermost pair of the cross rods 56-56 to complete the linkage system, it being apparent that upon raising theg'actuator rod 50 relatively to the main frame 48, the linkage system operates to simultaneouslycollapse the several bust, waist and hip-forming frame extending rods being disposed in vertically spaced parallel relation and being guided on said laterally spaced members of the central supporting frame for vertical movement thereon, and toggle means interconnecting each pair of foldable body-forming sections withtheir associated transversely extendingrod and with said laterally spaced members, "said toggle means being operative to permiteach of the paired foldable sections to assume either a relatively folded position or a relatively extended position.

2. A collapsible form of the character described 7 comprising a central main supporting frame having a pair of laterally spaced, parallel members, aplurality of body-forming frames each including a rod extending transversely of said laterally spaced members of the supporting frame and a pair of relatively foldable sections hingedly connected to said rod, said transversely extending rods being disposed in vertically spaced parallel relation and being guided on said laterally spaced members of the central supporting frame for vertical movement thereon, toggle means'interconnecting each pair of foldable body-forming sections 1 with their associated transversely" extending rod and with said laterally spaced members saidtoggle means being operative to permit each of the paired foldable sections to assume either a relatively folded poj'sit'ion' era relatively extended position, and a member extending oug'auemauy of said sup porting frame and connected to each of said vertically spaced transversely extending rods for vertically moving the same in unison relative to said supporting frame to effect simultaneous collapse .ofkthe body-forming frames into relatively folded condition or expansion thereof into relatively extended condition.

3. A collapsible form of the character described comprising a plurality of vertically spaced body-forming frames each including .a

pair of relatively foldable sections, a transversely extending red for each body-forming frame to the opposite ends of which each pair of said foldable sections are hingedlysecured, a main central support forsaid body-forming frames, said support .havinga pair of laterally spaced members for verticalmovement thereon of said trans ers ly. extend ng rods of said body-f rm: ns fra es; toggle, linkages interconnecting each pair of relatively 'foldablesections of a' body forming frame with their associated transversely extending rod and with said laterally spaced members, and a rigid member extending longitudinally of said supporting frame andconnected to the transversely extending rods of the several body-forming frames for simultaneously actuating said toggle linkages to collapse or ex pand said frames as desired.

a. In a collapsible form of the character defined in claim 3 wherein said paired foldable sections of said body-forming frames are in the form of wire members arcuately shaped to provide said frames,,when expanded into extended relation, with perimetral outlines respectively in conformity with the bust, waist and hip portions of the body.

5. In a collapsible form of the character defined in claim 3 wherein said body-forming frames, when expanded into body-forming shape, are respectively of perimetral outlines generally conforming to the bust, waist and hip portions of the body, and wherein is included a jacket of flexible material enveloping said form and adapted to be expanded into body shape upon outward extension of the relatively foldaole sec-- tions of the several body forming frames.

6. A collapsible form of the character described comprising a main supporting frame having a pair of laterally spaced, depending side elements, a plurality of foldable body-forming frames each including a pair of members hinged together and to said main supporting frame, and longitudinally extending rigid means interconnecting each pair of said foldable bodyforming members, said rigid means being operable to simultaneously cause each foldable body-forming member to assume either a relatively folded position or a relatively extended position.

7. A collapsible form of the character de scribed comprising a main supporting frame having a pair of laterally spaced, depending side elements, a plurality of foldable body-forming frames each including a pair of members hinged together at laterally spaced points respectively adjoining the depending side elements of said main supporting frame, link means intercom nesting the corresponding-members of the several body-forming frames for conjoint collapse and expansion of the latter, and means longitudinally shiftable relative to said suppq fting frame and associated with said link means for,

actuating the same in unison to effect simultaneous collapse of the body forming frames into relatively folded condition or expansion thereof 7 into relatively extended condition; 7,

8. In collapsible form of the character de fined in claim 7 wherein said paired foldablesections of said body-forming frames are in the form of members 'arcuately shaped to, provide said frames, when expanded into extended relation, with perimetral outlines respectively in conformity with the bust, waist and hip portions of the body.

9. In a collapsible form of the character defined in claim 7 wherein said body-forming frames, when expanded into body-forming shape, are respectively of perimetral outlines generally conforming to'the bust, waist and hip portions of the body, and wherein is included a jacket of flexible material enveloping said form and adapted to be expanded into bodyshape upon outward ex ension o he relatively foidable sections of the several body-forming frames.

10. A collapsible form of the character .described comprising .a main supporting frame of inverted U-shape having a pair of laterally spaced, depending side elements, a plurality of vertically spaced foldable body-forming frames each including a pair of members hinged to each other and to the side elements of said main frame, rigid link means interconnecting the vertically spaced body-forming frame members hinged to said frame, and an actuatorrod vertically shiftable relative to said supporting frame and operatively associated with said interconnecting rigid link means for effecting conjoint collapse or expansion of said foldable body-forming frames in response to said shifting movement.

11. A collapsible form of the character described comprising a main supporting frame of inverted U-shape having a pair of laterally 'spaced, depending side elements, a plurality of vertically spaced foldable body-forming frames each including a pair of members hinged to each other and to the side elements of said main frame, rigid link means interconnecting the vertically spaced body-forming frame members hinged to said frame, and an actuator rod vertically shiftable relative to said supporting frame and operatively associated with said interconnecting rigid link means for effecting conjoint collapse or expansion of said foldable body-forming frames in response to vertical shifting of said actuator rod, said actuator rod being guided for rectilinear movement along a vertically extending line located centrally between and substantially in the common plane of the side elements of said main frame.

12. A collapsible form of the character described comprising a main supporting frame having a pair of laterally spaced, side elements, a plurality of vertically spaced, foldable bodyforming frames each including a pair of members hinged to each other and to the side elements of said main frame, rigid link means between the corresponding vertically spaced members of the several body-forming frames, and means vertically shiftable relative to said supporting frame and operatively associatedwith said rigid link means for effecting conjoint collapse or expansion of said foldable body-forming frames in re sponse to said shifting movement.

13. Inga collapsible form as defined in claim 11 wherein said interconnectingmeans include horizontally extending rods for each body-forming frame member and connector rods extending between and interconnecting. said horizontally ex tending rods, and wherein said vertically shiftable actuator rod is linked to said connector. rods for conjoint raising and lowering of the latter to simultaneously effect movement of the paired members of said body-forming frames about their hinged axes inwardly and outwardly with respect to said main supporting frame.

14. A collapsible form of the character de scribed comprising a main supporting frame having a pair of laterally spaced, depending side elements, a plurality of foldable body-forming frames each including a pair ofmembers hinged at spaced points respectively adjoining the depending side elements of said main supporting frame, means longitudinally shiftable relative to said supporting frame, and link means pivotally connected with the several body-forming frames and operably associated with said longitudinally shiftable means for actuation of said body-form- 9 ing frames in unison to effect simultaneous collapse thereof into relatively 'folded condition or expansion thereof into relatively extended condition in response to movement of said longitudinally shiftable means.

BENJAMIN WEXLER. MARVIN C. WEXLER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Connor et al May 30, 1916 Moschowitz Jan. 29, 1918 Riordan et al Dec. 1, 1925 Davis June 6, 1950 

